, Mesut Cerit1 , Damla Selin Yıldırım1
Keywords: Nutrition, Fitness, Ergogenic aid
Physical fitness is defined as the ability of muscles to do adequate work or to resist exerted efforts.[1] Physical fitness is assessed by measuring muscular endurance, muscular strength, cardiovascular capacity, body composition, and flexibility[2] to maintaining healthy and fit body while reducing health risks. [3] Nutrition is one of the most important factors in ensuring athletes' health and the development of their muscle structure.[4,5] Athletes should consume the energy, and macro and micro nutrients required before, during, and after exercise in a balanced and adequate manner to improve exercise performance, recovery time, body weight maintenance, glycogen storage, and tissue building and repair.[6]
Ergogenic supplements are products that help athletes improve their athletic performance, adapt to training, speed up post-exercise recovery, delay fatigue, prevent injuries, boost immune function, and improve overall athlete health.[7] Ergogenic nutritional supplements have long been popular among athletes. According to previous studies, young athletes, in particular, are increasingly using these products to improve both their appearance and athletic abilities.[8] When selecting these products, athletes should consider gender, age, type of exercise, whether they are amateur or professional, and any health issues. To ensure that the effects of these performance enhancers are beneficial, it should be investigated whether nutritional ergogenic supplements are safe, effective, and legal to use, and the assistance of experts should be sought.[9,10]
The purpose of this study is to determine the nutrition, physical activity, and ergogenic support usage status of male athletes interested in fitness, as well as to evaluate the effect of ergogenic support usage status on body composition.
Materials and Methods
This research was conducted in accordance with the ethics statement of the committee of Lokman Hekim University before participation (Decision No:2021095, Date;09/08/2021). Written parental permission was also provided for all of the volunteers. This study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.
This study included 40 male volunteers between the ages of 18 and 35 who exercised in a private fitness center in Bilecik's Sögüt district. As a data collection tool, a face-to-face survey method was used. Personal information, health and lifestyle, nutrition, physical activity, and ergogenic supports are all covered in the questionnaire. A 24-hour food consumption record, including 1 training day and 1 non-training day, was taken to determine the energy and macronutrients consumed daily. The TürKomp was used for nutrient analysis. The Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) method was used to determine the participants' anthropometric measurements. Body weight, body fat ratio, body fluid ratio, muscle mass, bone mass, body mass index, and basal metabolic rate were all measured in the study. A tape measure was used to determine body measurements such as height, waist, hip, and upper middle arm circumference.
Statistical Analysis
The data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0 (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp). Mean ±standard deviation, number (n), and percentage (%) were used in descriptive statistical methods while evaluating the study data. The Chi-square test was used to compare qualitative data, and the Student t-test was used for comparisons between two groups. Significance was evaluated at the p<0.05 level.
Results
The participants had a mean age of 25.03±3.99 years, 60% had a bachelor's degree, 32.5% had high school, and 7.5% had a master's degree. 95% of those polled said they had no chronic diseases and were not on any medications. It was discovered that 22.5% of the people drank alcohol and 17.5% smoked.
When the nutritional status of the athletes is examined, it is discovered that 42.5% of them eat three meals per day, and 75% skip meals. Typically, 36.7% of the skipped meals are snacks. 36.7% of people who skip meals do so because they are pressed for time. 47.5% of the participants drink 3-4 liters of liquid per day. 1-2 liters of fluid are consumed at a rate of 60% before and 77.5% after exercise. 35% of participants consume food two hours before the exercise, while 32.5% consume food one hour before the exercise. When the feeding time after exercise was examined, 47.5% of the participants consumed food one hour after the exercise. A combination of protein and carbohydrates is generally preferred before and after exercise.
Among athletes, 52.5% reported that, they began exercising for a healthier lifestyle. 42.5% of the participants have been interested in exercising for at least 5.5 years. 37.5% of the athletes said they exercise 5 or more days per week, while 35% said they exercise 4 days per week. At a rate of 67.5%, the time allotted for exercise is between 1.5 and 2.5 hours per day.
Ergogenic support products are used by 45% of the participants. 37.5% creatine and 32.5% protein powder are the most commonly used ergogenic supplements. 50% of athletes who use ergogenic support products have been doing so for less than a year. The reasons for use were determined to be an increase in sporting performance of 27.8% and an increase in body muscle ratio of 20.4%. It was discovered that 22.7% of ergogenic supports were used with media and book recommendations.
Table 1 demonstrates the distribution and analysis of body measurements according to the ergogenic support usage status of the athletes participating in the study. When the mean body measurement values of the athletes using ergogenic support's are examined, their height was 178.89±7.13 cm, body weight was 74.46±10.21 kg, body mass index was 23.19±2.23 kg/m2, waist circumference was 85.64±6, 69 cm, hip circumference was 103.17±5.94 cm, waist-hip ratio was 0.83±0.06, and upper middle arm circumference was 35.78±3.66 cm. The mean body measurements of the athletes who do not use ergogenic aids were; 176.77±4.77 cm in height, 71.14±11.25 kg in weight, 22.71±3.10 kg/cm2 in BMI, 82.36±7.30 cm in waist circumference, 100.00±7.29 cm in hip circumference, 0.82±0.05 in waist-hip ratio, and 32.98±3.23 cm in upper middle arm circumference. The athletes' use of ergogenic support was compared to their height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio, and no statistically significant difference was found (p>0.05).
Table 2 indicates the distribution and analysis of body composition measurements according to the ergogenic support usage status of the athletes participating in the study. The athletes who used ergogenic support had an average fat ratio of 14.81±3.85%, an average muscle mass of 60.09±6.51 kg, an average bone mass of 3.16±0.31 kg, and an average fluid ratio of 59.65±3,93%. The athletes who did not use ergogenic support had an average fat ratio of 14.47±5.53%, an average muscle mass of 57.25±5.10 kg, an average bone mass of 3.02±0.25 kg, and an average fluid ratio of 60.64±5,03%. The athletes' ergogenic support usage status was compared to their fat ratio, muscle mass, bone mass, and fluid ratio, and no statistically significant difference was found (p>0.05).
Table 3 indicates the distribution and analysis of the energy and macronutrients taken according to the exercise and non-exercise days. On the day of exercise, an average of 2487.4±314.11 kcal of energy was consumed, and the average daily carbohydrate intake was 351.04±49.98 grams, the average protein intake was 111.42±30.41 grams, and the average fat intake was 59.35±9.44 grams. On the day without exercise, the mean values were 2308.73±286.55 kcal energy, 328.92±46.83 grams of carbohydrates, 98.87±24.49 grams of protein, and 55.71±9.39 grams of fat. The athletes consumed more energy, carbohydrate, protein, and fat on the day of exercise than on the non-exercise day. There was a statistically significant difference in daily energy and macronutrient consumption with and without exercise (p<0.05).
Discussion
Ergogenic support products are used by 45% of the athletes in our study, and, 22.7% of participants began using ergogenic supports based on media and book recommendations, and 20.5% on their initiative. In parallel with our study, in the study conducted by Tian et al. (2009), it was determined that 39.7% of the participants obtained information about ergogenic supports from the media.[11] According to many studies, it has been observed that the highest rate of athletes to start using ergogenic support products is the advice given by coaches.[12,13,14,15,16] Creatine is recommended as the most effective ergogenic supplement used to increase athletic performance and lean muscle mass.[17] In our study, it was determined that the most used performance enhancer was creatine amino acid. Besides, according to the study conducted by Ercen in 2016, it was determined that the athletes mostly used protein powder (83.33%) and BCAA (40.74%).[18] Similarly, according to the study by Duran et al. (2020), 40.5% of individuals use protein powder, 23% amino acids, 23% creatine, and 13.5% carnitine.[19]
The athletes' use of ergogenic support was compared to their height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist-hip ratio, and no statistically significant difference was found (p>0.05). Some studies claim that there is a significant relationship between the use of ergogenic support products and height, weight, and BMI.[17,19]
The athletes in the study had an average fat ratio of 14.62%, an average muscle mass of 58.53 kg, an average bone mass of 3.08 kg, and an average fluid ratio of 60.2%. According to this study, there was no statistically significant difference in the use of ergogenic support with fat ratio, muscle mass, bone mass, and fluid ratio (p>0.05), even though athletes who use ergogenic support have higher muscle, bone, and fat values than those who do not. According to Alpar's (2011) study, there is no significant relationship between nutritional supplement use and body fat, lean mass, and fluid ratio.[17] In the study of Bardak et al. (2020), there was no significant relationship between the use of ergogenic support and body fat ratio. However, it is observed that there was a statistically significant relationship between the use of ergogenic support and the amount of lean body mass and body fluid.[20]
The athletes in the study provided two retrospective 24-hour food consumption records, including exercise and non-exercise days. It was discovered that on the day of exercise, carbohydrates account for 56.45% of daily energy intake, proteins for 17.91%, and fats for 21.47%. On the non-exercise day, an average of 56.98% of the daily energy intake comes from carbohydrates, 17.12% from proteins, and 21.71% from fats. According to the results of these data, while the amount of carbohydrates taken on the day of exercise and on the day without exercise is at the recommended level, protein intake is above the recommended amount, and fat intake is below the recommended amount. Because athletes consume more energy, carbohydrate, protein, and fat on exercise days than non-exercise days, a statistically significant difference was observed between the average energy and macronutrient consumption amount consumed on exercise days and non-exercise days (p<0.05). According to a similar study, 37.65% of the energy consumed by athletes on the day of training is carbohydrate, 27.47% is protein, and 34.53% is fat. On a non-training day, carbohydrates account for 35.88% of total energy consumed, proteins account for 25.14%, and fats account for 36.64%. It has been determined that there is a significant difference in macronutrient consumption during the day with and without training.[18] Another study found that 38% of the energy consumed on the day of training is made up of carbohydrates, 23% of protein, and 39% of fat. When we look at the day without training, carbohydrates provide 39% of the energy, protein provides 23%, and fats provide 39%. There was no significant difference in energy and macronutrient intake on the day with and without training.[21]
Conclusions
As a result, the participants began to use ergogenic support products in accordance with media and book recommendations, as well as at their request, for purposes such as increasing sports performance and muscle ratio. Only the upper middle arm circumference was significant among the ergogenic support usage status, body composition values, and body measurements. It has been established that athletes receive more energy and macronutrients on exercise days. The amount of carbohydrates consumed on the day, with and without exercise, was found to be at the recommended level, while protein intake was above the recommended level and fat intake was below the recommended level. Athletes interested in fitness sports should consult with specialists such as trainers, dietitians, doctors, and geneticists about nutrition, exercise practices, and the use of ergogenic supports in this context. Ergogenic aids can be harmful as well as beneficial. Side effects from the use of inappropriate supplements, excessive amounts, or misuse should not be overlooked. Instead of believing that ergogenic supports are the only way to improve athletic performance, they should be used as a supplement to a well-planned training and nutrition program. More scientific research on ergogenic supplements, as well as some proven positive and negative effects, is required.
